"Sorry if I am a nuisance with my presence dear Guardian." A tall, but slender figure stood before her. He was holding a clipboard and wearing a monocle, apparently, he was adjusting it. "But I am here with the words of the Aethalgard. I am an escort from the Guardian Realm. It has been a while since you have been declining their messages."
His eyes were shut, and he had his long hair tied into a low ponytail. If anything, he almost looks like those loyal butlers of a few villains in animes or mangas that I had read back during my days on Earth. His manners were all suspicious too, but since I was considered a minor villain in a novel that I had read about... Well... Alright.
"Sorry... But won't they understand the fact that I am still getting used to this new powers? I was planning on going in a short while, but I don't think I am quite prepared enough to meet the other Guardians just yet." I politely answered back. Regardless, he needs to understand that I am not an ancient being like the others.
I slowly retracted my arm and silently scolded Spectrum. And it pleaded into my mind that it would never break its composure like this ever again. Simply put, I still can't guarantee. So I just told it, "Mind your own world for now. I am dealing with mine."
Almost as instantly as I had spoken, I kind of felt rebellious and decided that since I am practically still a teenager and I have high authority of a Guardian... I can actually act out of character without anyone even complaining about it.
"Tsk... Those Aethalgard Heirs... Did they really think I would be naive enough to need an escort though?"
With a sudden shatter, he opened his eyes and stared at my face with surprise. But I don't think that was what he was actually surprised about. Because if he really found my behaivour a little irrational, he won't be staring that long. His face slowly brightened and a smile popped onto his face.
Then, his clipboard dissapeared and he clasped my two hands with his.
"Wait! You are! Hold on... Aren't you the Guardian of Death?!" He added with quite the amount of joy in his voice. I obviously didn't expect him to act that way upon seeing my face, but what is so surprising when he was probably already told he was escorting the new Guardian of Death.
"Uh... Yes? I am... I just ascended. I don't see why you should be that excited about seeing me... You have probably seen many others when you already said you were here under the command of the Aethalgard." I spoke while furrowing my brows. Then wringling my hands out of his grasp. My hand came to rest at my side where the hilt of Spectrum rested. Now that I know... My suspicions have just been elevated even more. I am sorry... I am alright with killing to survive.
"Ah! So you don't remember probably..." He added while letting out a saddened sigh. I couldn't tell why he suddenly got dissapointed like that. Why are these servants so odd! Then how odd are the Guardians?!
"It has been eighteen thousand and a hundred years since the former Guardian of Death had dissapeared. So the entire realm is excited to finally get to see a new Guardian of Death. I hope you don't mind... But the Aethalgard are serious about you not answering their messages." He added while frowning. Previously though... Now that I think back, he looked as if he recognized my face.
"By the way... Was the previous Guardian of Death somewhat similar to what I look like?" I asked out of the haze.
And this time, he was shocked. He was trembling and he didn't know what to say.
"Then I am guessing that they were. Don't worry... I am honestly not from this planet."
"I see." He added while adjusting his monocle. Then, he turned towards his right and looked at my direction. "I hope you aren't busy. Because we can't leave the Aethalgard waiting. They have a pressing question to ask you."
Alright. I knew this much. That they really wanted to ask me a question. "Alright I will go."
He smiled while picking up his pen and then writing something onto his clipboard. "Alright. Please hold on as I prepare a transit."
"No need." I answered while unshealthing Spectrum at my right hand.
"...?"
Then, stepping forward, I let out a deep breathe as I checked the air nearby before I swung at it. A thin line of light appeared in the air that I had pierced, a golden to blue gradient form one end to the other. I used my sword to stab it, and cracked the space even wider. This was something my Phase four space shifting skill could do, and it was less draining. I just needed to wound the air that I wanted to turn into a teleportation point. Of course, it can recover after I am done using it.
The servant stood frozen as he watched with complete horror. As soon as the air tore apart like glass pieces, it revealed a very large palace on the other side, where it was day and night at the same time. It was a very beautiful sight, and instantly captivating.
"Guardian... This is..."
"I know... I bought the skill."
"No this is just amazing! You are so strong!" He spoke with excitement, then looked at me. "Even when the Guardian of Space attempts it, she would be driven to easy exhaustion within seconds! You are so powerful I can't even believe that you are still just a child!"
"But well... Guardians are supposed to be strong." I shrugged at him, while putting Spectrum back in its scabbard. Honestly, this space shifting skill was much easier thanks to this little parasitic sword that I just used to strike this dimension's barriers. "I thought you had seen more powerful entities use their powers in front of you?"
He looked taken aback with his expression, then his eyes twitched. And internally, I was just questioning if this man lost his sanity while being with the Guardians. Because who reacts like that! That is so unprofessional!
"Now let's see... To begin with... The previous Guardian of Death was supposed to be the said weakest of all Guardians. And after her disappearance, the great fall took place, ending an entire era along with it. So I am pretty surprised... Seeing how you haven't even unlocked five percent of her full powers just yet."
"What...?!"
Not even five percent?! Because when I use one of the few skills that I had received, it felt like my organs were ripping apart just by activating then for five seconds! And I am not even five percent from the former's full powers? Just how strong was the so-called 'she'?! And she was the said weakest?!
"I know this is all too surprising for you to take in. But I will be brutally honest, she was a battle maniac like you. She could wield all sorts of weapons whenever she wanted and she was the most favoured by the Aethalgards."
But this much information itself was making my brain go on a rollercoaster ride just by listening to it. If she was that powerful, then... Just how powerful are the Aethalgards?
"Alright. Let's get going. It is best to not waste anytime." I added while turning towards the crack on the dimension walls that I had just caused. I reached a hand in, and waited as I felt my entire power drain.
The system of this dungeon to outside word worked like this... The other side was an alternate dimension and you should have the opposite amount of energy on the other side then you did on this side. And you can transfer your all onto the other side in case you want to use more of it. This was a technic that had saved me during a few dungeons back then. And I am honestly grateful I had picked up this knowledge.
As soon as I felt my nerves start to flare with life again, I jumped towards the otherside and waited for the escort to follow over. "Guardian... Why did you just do that?" He asked the instant that he watched the crack fix itself.
"Whatever I do... I appreciate it if you don't ask. I don't really like explaining a lot." I answered back while repairing my appearance to make sure I was presentable in front of the Aethalgard. As I walked, the sent of lilies and lavendar filled my nose. I was instantly reminded of the empress and the palace. But it couldn't be helped. I was there on a mission. Not for recollecting memories through unwanted nostalgia.
"Alright." The servant spoke while silently walking behind me. We reached a set of metal gates that were sky high. At the either sides, two more servants came to greet us and open the door. "Welcome back... Guardian of Death."
Again, it was as if they had known me for an astonishingly long time. But I don't remember any sort of memory of them. "Thank you..." I responded since I was still a rookie and ignoring them would seem arrogant. I didn't want to leave a bad image since the Aethalgard were strong... Enough to kill me if they wanted or found rightful.
Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine. Why was I entangled into this mess... And what do I do if I am caught up in a bigger mess?
The palace of the Guardian Realm was a beautiful sight. It was tall and elegantly decorated, of course... What did I expect. But what surprised me more, was that the palace was split in half. One side fully daylight and the other side in nighttime. The sun and moon were both up, but an invisible barrier was causing the light to not trespass to the other side. Like a wall stood from the sky to the ground, blocking the nighttime from the daylight.
"The dark side is for the Guardians who are the members of the Eclipse group. That is where you are supposed to belong. I know this is a bit harsh but–"
"What harsh?" I asked back while rudely interrupting him. "You know why villains survive longer then heros?" It was something about me, that when someone tried to make me seem naive and hurt, I wanted to show them my real rotten personality.
"I don't know dear Guardian."
"Because they are smarter, stronger and much braver then the heros. So saying that the other person is a dark person and a villain... Just means the side characters are complimenting them. Villains are known for their ego and instincts on survival. They can struggle and survive... But what can heros do other then saving others and sacrificing?
I knew he would not be expecting such a response from me, but then he also smiled a moment later. "You are right. Villains are also very strong mentally unlike the heros. I think you are right about everything you have said so far." He nodded in response to my answer.
"Now then... Why is there a bridge at the middle connecting the two buildings if villains and heros can't be together?" I asked back with a smile.
"Because the heros needed huge help from the villains, so that they could laze around and just be arrogant with their own powers."
"Wow! Well that is intensely selfish..." I smirked while looking at the building. While we were submerged into our conversation, we had already crossed it halfway and reached the main gates of the palace.
There, the few guards that were walking around, came to a dead stop to just stare at our direction as we approached. Some even bowed their heads with a smile and quietly muttering 'Death is not dumb enough to die'. And I don't see why they would be saying it because the previous Death did die. And I am the new Death. I still can't explain why that was so... I guess they just thought I resemble the previous Death by a lot with my face.
Once inside the palace though, it felt very strange. But the strangeness was something I had been used to since staying with the Impirial family. There were a few high ranking officials who seemed to be looking at my direction with a particular type of disgust. That got me thinking whether the previous Guardian of Death had a bad reputation.
I just wasn't certain yet, but when I tried to ask my escort why they were acting this way, he just gritted his teeth and looked forward. Maybe he thought it would be better to not let the rookie Guardian of Death know about whatever bad thing the previous had done. But also, that was when he opened his mouth to speak.
"They believe that the previous Guardian of Death had no right to have been the weakest and then just dissappear without leaving a trace."
"What? Why?"
"Because she wasn't really the weakest like she used to say. The others treated her with an eye that said she was a disposable worker... So they are probably thinking that they can treat you the same way this time too."
"Is that so? ... Was she that naive?"
"No... Some who had been nice and friendly to her said she was actually the Guardian who held the both sides of the Guardians together."
"And they thought she was disposable without really seeing who she is..." I added with a grin. I had a rising anger in me to kill them or at least take revenge. After all... I was from the 'villain side'... Wasn't I?
"It is better to leave them alone for your– Huh?"
By then though... I had come to a stop to listen to what one of the most loudest official was saying.
"Now that the new one is here... I am betting that she too will be the weakest!"
"You know... She is just a child... So should I use her to become the Guardian of Death myself?"
That was when I moved. Even my escort couldn't stop me.
Within the blink of an eye, I was behind the chubby, short, and most arrogant official.
"Really? Do you think that just because the previous Guardian of Death was naive... That I will be too?" I asked while holding Spectrum directly at the centre of his throat.
"My sword is a bit blood hungry... Your little idea is not worth existing anyways... So maybe I should end you already. I don't care for who you work for... I hate arrogant co-workers."